Some reviewers have missed some things, details inside. This is VERY nice for the money!
ok, lets get some things out of the way first
For the reviewers saying the strings on top are on the wrong side. This is incorrect. Those strings are for tying the corners of the bug screen in the raised section. Its not mentioned at all in the instructions. Once you have the roof framing on and drag the larger roof canvas over the top, STOP and tie those corners. Its near impossible after the roof is fully stretched and anchored.
Some other things missed in the instructions that should be mentioned:
Once you decide where youre installing it, put together all the framing (except the roof), but leave the hardware finger tight only. Then anchor your firs post. After that, check all the columns to be sure they are at least close to being plumb (the vertical version of things being level for those not familiar with the term). Check each post in two directions. It doesnt have to be perfect, but this will get the feet closer to their final location.
THEN measure corner to corn at the base in both directions. These numbers should match exactly. If not, adjust the bases until they do, being sure not to let the posts get to crooked.
Once thats done, anchor the rest of the bases. Then go around again with your level and a helper. Plumb all the posts, one at a time, in two directions and do a full tightening of ALL the hardware going to that corner of the framing. Work your way around to all 4 corners this way.
Now you have a nice square and straight frame to work from!
More tips:
The hangers for the screen. Man I wish these instructions are better! Place 12 hangers in the inside track on each of the short ends, and 16 on each of the long ends. Divide them in the middle. Start your screen at the middle of the frame and work your way toward the corner. Once there, wrap around the post and continue. You should end up at the middle of the adjacent frame. Repeat until all 4 screens are up.
As to the hangers for the privacy fabric, you need 10 on the short side and 14 on the long side. Install just like you did with the screens.
Hope this helps clear up some confusion!
Overall, I think its a REALLY good Gazebo option for the price. My only squawks were the incomplete instructions (obviously) and one post had slight damage (easily fixed). Oh, and there was one rivet nut with bad threads that also wasnt crimped well.
If it werent for those items, I would have given it 5 stars, easily!
Some reviewers have missed some things, details inside. This is VERY nice for the money!
ok, lets get some things out of the way first For the reviewers saying the strings on top are on the wrong side. This is incorrect. Those strings are for tying the corners of the bug screen in the raised section. Its not mentioned at all in the instructions. Once you have the roof framing on and drag the larger roof canvas over the top, STOP and tie those corners. Its near impossible after the roof is fully stretched and anchored. Some other things missed in the instructions that should be mentioned: Once you decide where youre installing it, put together all the framing (except the roof), but leave the hardware finger tight only. Then anchor your firs post. After that, check all the columns to be sure they are at least close to being plumb (the vertical version of things being level for those not familiar with the term). Check each post in two directions. It doesnt have to be perfect, but this will get the feet closer to their final location. THEN measure corner to corn at the base in both directions. These numbers should match exactly. If not, adjust the bases until they do, being sure not to let the posts get to crooked. Once thats done, anchor the rest of the bases. Then go around again with your level and a helper. Plumb all the posts, one at a time, in two directions and do a full tightening of ALL the hardware going to that corner of the framing. Work your way around to all 4 corners this way. Now you have a nice square and straight frame to work from! More tips: The hangers for the screen. Man I wish these instructions are better! Place 12 hangers in the inside track on each of the short ends, and 16 on each of the long ends. Divide them in the middle. Start your screen at the middle of the frame and work your way toward the corner. Once there, wrap around the post and continue. You should end up at the middle of the adjacent frame. Repeat until all 4 screens are up. As to the hangers for the privacy fabric, you need 10 on the short side and 14 on the long side. Install just like you did with the screens. Hope this helps clear up some confusion! Overall, I think its a REALLY good Gazebo option for the price. My only squawks were the incomplete instructions (obviously) and one post had slight damage (easily fixed). Oh, and there was one rivet nut with bad threads that also wasnt crimped well. If it werent for those items, I would have given it 5 stars, easily!